DOJ and Commerce Launch Disruptive Technology Strike Force to Protect Assets, Target Foes

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (C) flanked by Attorney General Merrick Garland (L) and FBI Director Christopher Wray (R) speaks during a news conference to announce an international ransomware enforcement action at the Department of Justice in Washington on Jan. 26, 2023. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Commerce have launched a Disruptive Technology Strike Force in order to protect American technology from acquisition by enemies.

The strike force’s mission is to target illicit actors, strengthen supply chains, and prevent critical technological assets from being acquired or used by America’s adversaries, according to the DOJ’s press release on Feb. 16.

“Today, autocrats seek tactical advantage through the acquisition, use, and abuse of America’s most innovative technology. They use it to enhance their military capabilities, support mass surveillance programs that enable human rights abuses and all together undermine our values,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco during her announcement of the strike force.

The Disruptive Technology Strike Force will use intelligence and data analytics, Monaco said during her comments at Chatham House in London. The analytics will target bad actors around the world, harden supply chains so that technology won’t be transferred to adversarial nations, and quickly identify threats to critical American technology.

The DOJ official noted the intelligence community is aware that China “leads the world in using surveillance and censorship to keep tabs on its populations, repress dissent, and counter perceived threats abroad.”

“Any company doing business in China for that matter is subject to Chinese national security laws, which requires turning over data to the state, and there is a reason we need to be very concerned,” Monaco said, specifically calling out social media app TikTok. The DOJ official added that she would “not advise anyone” to use the app.

“The bottom line is that China has been quite clear that they are trying to mold and put forward the use and norms around technology that advance their privilege and their interests,” the deputy attorney general added. “Their interests ... are fueled by and directed toward an authoritarian approach to their government. And that is not consistent with ours.”

The task force will use “real-time intelligence” along with data analytics to bring together the Justice and Commerce Departments and strike back against adversaries trying to siphon off our most advanced technology and to attack tomorrow’s national security threats today,” according to the DOJ.

The strike force will be led by the Justice Department’s National Security Division and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security. The initiative will bring together experts from across the government, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and 14 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in 12 metropolitan areas across the country.

The Department of Justice did not respond to the Epoch Times’s request for comment in time for publication.